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January 13, 2011

The demolition of an ancient mosque in Delhi led to tension as hundreds of angry Muslims took to streets and blocked traffic in Jangpura in South Delhi to protest the illegal demolition by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

Vehicular traffic was severely affected on the Jangpura flyover due to the agitation.The DDA anti-encroachment squad and police had earlier in the day demolished the Noor Masjid mosque.

Tempers soared when policemen lathi-charged the protesters and used tear gas to disperse the angry mob that had gathered at Hazrat Nizamuddin-Jangpura. The sudden action in the morning took residents by surprise.

Later in the day protesters gathered and traffic was badly hit. Muslim leaders also reached the place where local MLA TS Marwah had also arrived along with the devout for offering prayers (Namaz). Marwah said corrupt DDA officials and land mafia had joined hands to raze the mosque.

Shahi Imam Ahmed Bukhari criticised Chief Minister Sheila Dixit for the demolition of the mosque built on a waqf property. Lieutenant Governor Tejinder Khanna's role was also condemned by a number of Muslim leaders.

The local Muslim leaders have said that a delegation would meet Home Minister and apprise him of the situation. Policemen said that they used force and cane-charged the protesters because they were involved in stone pelting.

In a later development, the High Court on January 17 allowed Muslims to pray at the mosque. But the judge held that only ten persons can go to mosque until further orders (till two months) and there should not be any construction or attempt to rebuild the structure.